Displaying items by tag: Distribution

UK: Quinn Building Products has renewed its cement exclusivity contract for the British market with National Buying Group (NBG) until the end of 2024. NBG will sell the cement under Quinn Building Products’ new Mannok brand.

Great Britain regional sales and marketing director Lee Gillman said, “Today’s announcement is a very clear signal of our intentions going forward under the Mannok name. We will bring with us everything we do best, which means we will continue to offer quality products and service to our customers and demonstrate real commitment to the merchants who are key to our company’s success, through strong working partnerships with bodies such as NBG. We are delighted to make this commitment with NBG, who have played a key part in the increased sales of cement we have experienced since launching our extended cement range in 2018. It has been a fruitful partnership for all involved, and one which we are very happy to continue for a further three years.”

Nigeria: Dangote Cement has presented 82 brand new trucks to its distributors to improve product distribution logistics to other retailers. A ceremony was held at the Enugu assembly plant of Shacman Truck following a driver training session, according to the Punch newspaper. The cement producer said that the trucks were presented under its Truck Empowerment Scheme, where distributors pay for the trucks on a 50-month instalment basis.

Philippines: Eagle Cement has announced the start of reduced production and distribution of cement from its 7.1Mt/yr Bulacan plant following the partial easing of the coronavirus lockdown in the Philippines in May 2020. Eagle Cement president and chief executive officer (CEO) Paul Ang said, “We are starting to ramp up production as local demand for cement picks up following the easing of restriction in markets that we serve. We fully support the government's call to prioritise critical infrastructure projects to help reboot the economy. We hope to be able to safely return to a semblance of normality, mobilise our supply chains, create jobs and stimulate consumer spending.”

India: Ramco Group subsidiary Ramco Cements has invested US$0.7m in a 46% share in Lynks Logistics. The company will serve the 17Mt/yr-installed capacity producer’s logistics and distribution needs for all of India.

UK: Cemex has agreed a new partnership with Turners, a privately owned transport company. This contract will see Turners operating 20 bulk cement tankers for Cemex across the country. No value for the deal has been disclosed.

“We are always looking for ways to improve our logistics operation, and this partnership with Turners will create new flexibility in our service, thanks to their large fleet of safe and efficient heavy goods vehicles (HGV),” said David Hart, Cemex’s Supply Chain Director for UK & France.

Switzerland: Fuchs Group, which serves Swiss cement producers through its local trading partners, has established three additional intensified trading partnerships with Aseol Suisse AG, Laveba and S. Affolter for distribution of its industrial lubricants and lubricants for special applications in various regions. Aseol Suisse AG and Laveba are lubricant producers and distributors, while S. Affolter is a physical and chemical heat transfer specialist.

Africa: German-based lubricants supplier Fuchs has taken over direct ownership of 50% of three distribution subsidiaries of its regional subsidiary Fuchs Southern Africa. The companies are based in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The acquisitions will support Fuchs’ aim of increasing its supply to African markets, according to Fuchs executive board chairman Stefan Fuchs. "Investment in a state of the art, fully automated grease manufacturing plant which opened in Isando, Johannesburg, in 2018” signifies the company’s commitment to sustainable social development of the continent, said Fuchs, adding, “Further plant expansions are already being planned.”

Ireland: CRH has concluded a deal with an unspecified party for the sale of CRH Europe Distribution for Euro1.64bn. The Financial Times reported in July 2019 that private equity funds managed by American-based Blackstone would buy the company’s European distribution division. CRH will reportedly use the proceeds of sale for future acquisitions including its own share buyback programme.

North America: Cemex’s venture capital division has invested an undisclosed sum in the construction materials delivery and logistics brand GoFor. Gonzalo Galindo, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Cemex, has stated the importance of improving efficient on-site delivery as ‘a critical point in the construction value chain’ of its North American divisions.

Peru: The Supreme Court has upheld a fine of nearly US$2m by the National Institute for the Defense of Free Competition and the Protection of Intellectual Property (INDECOPI) on UNACEM. The penalty was levied due to UNACEM and its distribution network refusing to allow retailers to sell cement made by its competitor, according to the Gestión newspaper. INDECOPI said that in 2014 UNACEM and its collaborators refused to allow retailers to stock its Sol brand of cement if they were selling the rival Quisqueya brand produced by Mexico’s Cemex.